The diary of Abraham Moody is most interesting and Volume 13 of the Bann Dicc gives comprehensive coverage:
Here I include a few of the family details but there is so much more:
30th December 1828
I, Abraham James H Moody was born at Cloney in the parish of Magilligan on the 17th day of August 1809.
By 1828 my family consisted of nine brothers and one sister, three sisters being removed by death and one brother. The last sister died of fever which I remember with regret at the age of 13. (must have been the year 1822 ). After her burial the majority of us took the fever. It was a time of severe trial but we all recovered.
1843
My second brother John took his departure to America and I, now 34, would need to look out for a permanent abode for myself. I took a house in Bridge Street in December 1843 and my marriage is to take place on 2nd January 1844.
1844
I was married to Elizabeth Shannon of Derrybeg on 2nd January 1844, came to Coleraine the next day and proceeded the day following to Belfast to purchase my goods. I opened a shop rented at £20 annually in Bridge Street on the Saturday following and took as my first day's sale on a market day £6. 12. 0. I should remark that I received £50 with my wife.
1848/1849
My dear wife's health had been gradually declining since the birth of Ruth and she departed this earthly scene on 17th September 1848, of consumption.
I was cast again on the world but I was determined to take as my second wife Elizabeth Hopkin cousin to my former wife and on the 10th April 1849 we were married. I bless God that so far it has been a happy union. I received £50 with her as a dowry.
1850/51
My two brothers Henry and Solomon sailed on the ship "Sir Edmund Head" from Liverpool to Australia on 6th June 1850. I received word of their safe arrival 105 days later on 19th February 1851.
In January 1851 the gold mines of Australia were discovered. My brother John left Magilligan for Australia on 17th July 1851. He boarded a boat in Plymouth about the 22nd of the month. He was married about ten days before to Mary Campbell of Benone, who was born in Yorkshire.
On Tuesday 1st November 1853 my brothers Samuel B. and Israel Joseph Moody left Coleraine via Belfast to sail to Liverpool per the Marco Polo for Melbourne. The vessel sailed out of the Mersey on Wednesday 9th November towed by two steamers down the river - booming of cannon and a band on board told of the departure of this far famed ship. She carried 620 passengers, 7025 letters and 2234 newspapers. 26th November 1853 I shipped 8 ploughs to Australia to the care of my brother H. B. Moody of Duckponds(?) Truro, Adelaide. The year 1853 has closed shrouded in a deep layer of snow; no such storm for over 40 years; mails detained for a week; markets very high.
1854
Marco Polo arrives at Port Philip in 74 days and 12 hours; run aground; no lives lost; sailed with 717 souls (crew included) and brought into port 716. 7th December received from Australia a bill of exchange in the amount of £69. 4. 9 for my ploughs. 19th December my dear old father died, aged 81.
1855
On 11th January 1855 I made a will. I thought it prudent to do so in these eventful times when cholera rages
1857
On 12th February Henry Bruce Moody returned from Australia to visit his native land.
On Thursday 20th and 21st August brothers sold out stock, etc. to start to Australia. On 1st April 1857 Solomon Moody was married in South Australia to Charlotte daughter of N. Foot Esq. D.L. J.P. Thursday 17th September H.B. Moody was married to Margaret daughter of John Watson of Freehall; left Magilligan Friday 18th for Australia via Liverpool. William and David left on Monday 21st. 1859
1878
Another dear brother is gone, died at Gaulear(?) on Thursday 14th February 1878, Henry Bruce Moody.
1885
October, my brother John died in Y.P. Australia.
1894
10th July 1894 my dear son Marcus died at Adelaide, Australia.
1899
Abraham James Hopkins Moody died on 11th March 1899 aged 90 years. [Entry by one of his daughters]
